The
dreaded US Visa interview can be very challenging to most of us.. even more than
to someone like me who has a pending US Immigrant Visa petition on filed..
read on and learn from my story.
Background:
I
am a single mother with 2 children (had my marriage annulled and reverted back
to my maiden name), my parents are in the US (among my so many aunts, uncles,
cousins), all of us 3 siblings are in the Philippines. With more than 14 years employment
background and more than 5 year with my current employer.
October
25: around 9am (my schedule is 7:30 am, but with the other steps and waiting
for my turn for the interview, it was already around 9)
Approaching the
counter with a smile while saying “Good morning”; I drop my passport and DS 160
confirmation on the counter slot ( set aside my folder and hand bag) full
attention to the consul
Consul:
Good morning.. How are you?
Me:
I am fine, thank you. And you..
Consul:
with a surprised smile.. I am fine, thank you.. while typing on his computer
Consul:
What is the purpose of your visit to the united states Elaine?
Me:
Sir for tourism purposes and I also want to visit my parents.
Consul:
Where are you parents in the states?
Me:
I stated my parents address
Consul:
Are you married?
Me:
No.
Consul:
with a smile.. Do you have children?
Me:
yes, I have 2 children
Consul:
What do you do?
Me:
I work for a German company as Administration
Officer
Consul:
What company?
Me:
“stated my company name”
Consul:
repeated my company name as he typed on his computer
Consul:
How much is your monthly salary?
Me: My salary is ____ monthly
Consul:
What course did you take in college?
Me
– I have a bachelors degree major in electronics and communications.. It’s a
branch of engineering or BS ECE we call it..
medyo
na bulol pako kasi hindi ko expected na he will ask my course in college since
I am not a newly grad.. although I heard a lot of people were asked. (I stutter because I am not expecting the question since I am not a newly grad, although I have heard a lot of people were asked)
Consul:
Have you traveled to other countries?
Me:
Yes, I have traveled to several Asian
countries with my children.
Consul-
ahh with your children. Your
children are not traveling with you?
Me:
No, not at this time.
Consul:
Why?
Me:
they are in school, I plan to go in
January.
Consul:
Congratulations! Your visa has been approved, you will receive your passport in
a few days. I was silent for a few seconds as my gaze follow his hands setting
aside my passport on a box on his right.
Then
I looked at him smiled and said – oh thank you.. have a nice day. He said thank
you..then I Gathered my things and left.. I was giggling with happiness as I
walk away from the interview section..
It
was so fast!! That is not even more than 2 minutes. No docs was asked from me.
I have a bunch of docs prepared. So happyyyy… :)
I was
so worried that I might get denied due to my immigrant petition.. I am so
prepared to answer about the immigrant petition that I wrote several reasons
why I am coming back to the country and have no intention to migrate at this
time.. I even researched a lot about US economy and employment rate.. I am
prepared to say that 11.3M American are looking for a job only 148,000 jobs
additional available in September; I have no chance to get employed when US
will prioritize their citizens.. With my income I don’t have to go abroad.. I am
earning enough here and I don’t have to be away from my family.. among other
reasons.. but none of it was asked!
Well,
nothing is wrong to be over prepared… very very happy…
Oct. 30
– 11:15am received my Visa via 2go.. I have 10 years multiple entry!! If you really wanted something, be truthful
and give it all your efforts and you will get it.. have faith.
What do I
think that my Visa was approved even if I have a pending immigrant Visa?
I am completely
honest when I filled up my DS 160 form. I declared everything on my DS 160
Form, I did not conceal anything, even indicated my Petition receipt number
they can look it up and I can pretty defend it. I am very relax during our
conversation, it was like a normal conversation to me not a scary interview
thing. I worked with several multi-cultural companies and deal with foreign colleagues;
nevertheless, relax, the consul can sense that you are so tense that a tiny
reason of doubt will get a denial of Visa. Don’t give them the reason to doubt
you if you are 100 % honest and truthful that you have no intentions to
overstay.
All my
answers including the prepared ones that were not asked were all realistic and
true to my capacity. I am not exaggerating, I did not padded my Bank accounts,
I was only ready to answer everything within my capacity and I have supporting
documents if asked.
I read a
lot and research my case – being with a pending immigrant petition I need to do
an extra effort to prove that I don’t intend to migrate now but rather my
immigrant petition is a future intent and given that immigrant petition take
years before it will be approved, this time I want to do a short visit.
I wrote
my prepared answers, read it again and again.. I have notes, literally reading
it while waiting. My notes boost my confidence, I am over prepared and so no
question can block me to get the Visa that I wanted.
My Adventure to the Land of Stars and Stipes will begin SOON ")
I will
share more of the stories I experienced and heard during my 2 hours or so
waiting for the interview..
check my next Blog:
check my next Blog:
The US Non-Immigrant
VISA Application Process
Interview Scenarios/ Questions during the interview
